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Education post declaration will not address teacher vacancies

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Dear MyPE

Education MEC Mandla Makupula’s 2018 post declaration has failed to address the ongoing issue of substantive vacant posts in the province. The province still has a total of 3 456 vacant posts. A DA-run provincial government would never allow this ongoing issue to fester.

Yesterday, MEC Makupula declared an educator post basket of 54 026 for the 2018 academic year.

This is 721 less than the 54 747 posts declared in 2016 and 2017.

The DA believes that a good education is the best ticket to access a job and to provide an opportunity for a new beginning.

On our numerous school visits this year with the legislature and on my own oversight as a DA MPL, it was obvious that there is a large number of vacant posts, resulting in certain subjects such as maths and physical science not being taught or being taught by people who do not have the qualification or capability to do so.

We cannot continue with a situation where vacant substantive posts are not filled year-in and year-out but is instead filled by walk-in staff on a three-month basis. This is not conducive to good teaching practices nor is it good for job security.

It remains to be seen, however, whether the department’s prediction of a 1:36 teacher to learner ratio in every school will become a reality in 2018. According to the department, no school loses a post for 2018, unless there was a decrease of more than 40 learners since November 2016.

We believe education is the basis on which we can build a province of freedom, fairness and opportunity.

Regards

Edmund van Vuuren

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Port Elizabethan

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